Apparatus for use in the construction of concrete lined tunnels



Jan. 6, 1970 E. H. BERGSTROM APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE LINED TUNNELS 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fild July 8, 1968 Jan. 6, 1970 E. H. BERGSTROM APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE LINED TUNNELS Filed July 8, 1968 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 6, 1970 E. H. BERGSTROM APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE LINED TUNNELS Filed July 8, 1968 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5.

Jan. 6, 1970 E. H. BERGSTROM 3,437,649

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION 0F CONCRETE LINED TUNNELS Filed July 8, 1968 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 6, 1970 E. H. BERGSTROM 3,487,649

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE LINED TUNNELS Filed July 8, 1968 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 kid [N739 8429571017 Jan. 6, 1970 E. H. BERGSTROM 3,487,549

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCT ION OF CONCRETE LINED TUNNELS 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 8, 1968 N EN 62 NN 8 a 0N AV om L 6y m K 1- I "w. [IL M m F T Jan. 6, 1970 E. H. BERGSTROM 3,487,649

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE LINED TUNNELS Filed July 8, 1968 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 United States Patent US. CI. 6185 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The apparatus for use in the construction of concrete lined tunnels comprises an outer concrete shell to form the unlined tunnel and a cylindrical shutter co-axial with the shell and of a diameter at its forward end such that it can slide axially within the shell and having a cylindrical tail to slide within the lined tunnel. An annular wall connects the forward end of the shutter to the tail, through which reinforcing wires can pass from a source within the lined tunnel, said wires forming axially extending reinforcing for the concrete liner. The tail is formed with a rear cylinder separate from the front of the tail and hydraulic jacks are provided whereby said cylinder can be forced rearwardly to uncover an annular cavity formed by the shell and shutter and to expose the axial reinforcing wires therein so that said Wires can be encircled by circumferential reinforcing wires which are embedded in concrete introduced into the annular cavity, the jacks thereafter pulling forward the cylinder to seal the cavity.

This invention has reference to apparatus for use in the construction of concrete lined tunnels, wells and shafts, hereafter referred to as tunnels and relates particularly to such apparatus of the kind comprising an outer cylindrical shell which when forced into the ground excavates in stages the unlined tunnel, a cylindrical shutter co-axial with the shell and of a diameter at its forward end such that it can slide axially within the shell and having a cylindrical tail corresponding in diameter to the lined tunnel in which it can slide axially, the tail and forward end of the shutter being interconnected by means of an annular wall, and hydraulic jacks by which the shell can be advanced relative to the shutter and the shutter thereafter advanced to form an annular cavity at the rear of the annular wall and into which concrete grout can be introduced to form an annular concrete section, successive concrete sections being formed in like manner after each excavation stage.

The present invention has for its primary object to provide improvements in apparatus of the kind set forth by which both axial and circumferential reinforcing wires can be embodied in each annular concrete section so that the concrete lining is reinforced both axially by wires extending from end to end thereof and circumferentially by wires embedded in each annular concrete section.

According to the present invention an apparatus of the kind set forth for use in the construction of concrete lined tunnels is characterised in that the annular wall of the shutter is provided with apertures through which wires from the interior of the tunnel can be introduced to form axial reinforcements in the concrete sections and further characterised in that the tail of the shutter where it extends rearwardly from the annular wall is formed in whole or in part by a separate cylinder, hydraulic jacks being provided to force said cylinder rearwardly and to thereafter draw it forward, rearward movement of the cylinder after the forward movement of the shutter exposing the annular cavity and the reinforcing wires ex- 3,487,649 Patented Jan. 6, 1970 "ice tending therethrough so that said Wires can be encircled by circumferential reinforcing wires which together with the axial reinforcing wires are embedded in the concrete grout introduced into the annular cavity to form an annular concrete section lining the tunnel.

The tail of the shutter may be formed by a leading annular member extending rearwardly from the inner periphery of the annular wall and by the separate cylinder, the annular member and the cylinder being interconnected by the hydraulic jacks.

The invention further consists in providing the shell and also the forward end of the shutter with an internal annular abutment, a first group of axially extending hydraulic jacks located in the leading end of the shutter and extending between the two annular abutments and a second group of axially extending hydraulic jacks located within the leading end of the shutter and bearing on its annular abutment, the rams of the latter group of jacks passing through holes in the annular wall and bearing on means to take the reaction of said jacks.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be de scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevation of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention, the apparatus being shown in operation at one stage in excavating a tunnel and lining it with concrete;

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 show three further successive stages in excavating and lining the tunnel, only the lower portion of the apparatus being shown in those figures;

FIGURE 5' is a section on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the apparatus and the concrete lining of a partly formed tunnel;

FIGURES 7, 8, 9 and 10 are views corresponding to FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4 of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 11 is a section on the line 1111 of FIG- URE 7. In both embodiments of the invention 10 denotes what is termed a thrust pit in which is located any suitable form of hydraulic means by which the apparatus is initially forced into the ground, such hydraulic means not being shown, 11 denotes the face of the pressure pit into which the apparatus is forced, 12 denotes the forward end of the tunnel which has not been lined, and 13 denotes that part of the tunnel which has been lined with concrete and which extends forwardly from the face 11 of the pressure pit.

Also in both embodiments of the invention the apparatus comprises a cylindrical outer shell 14 having an internal abutment flange 15 and a cylindrical shutter having a forward part 16 of such diameter that it can slide axially within the outer shell 14, and a tail or rear part of smaller diameter such' that its external diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of the lined tunnel in which it can slide axially. The rear end of the forward part 16 of the shutter terminates in an internal wall 19 which at its inner periphery is flanged rearwardly at right angles as at 19a to form the leading end of the tail or rear part of the shutter, such part being additionally formed by a cylinder 17. The part 16 of the shutter of larger diameter has an internal abutment flange 20 and carried by said part of the shutter are two groups of circumferentially arranged axially extending hydraulic jacks. The jacks of one group, designated 21, are interposed between the two abutment flanges 15 and 20, their rams bearing on or being arranged to bear on but not being mechanically connected to the abutment flange 15. The jacks of the other group are designated 21a and are double acting.

The cylinder 17 registers with the flange 19a and secured to the latter is an inner sealing ring 22. The flange 19a and cylinder are interconnected by means of double acting hydraulic jacks 24 by which they can be drawn together and separated. The periphery of the rear end of the shell 14 is cut so that the upper part thereof for half its circumference is in a plane at right angles to its axis while the lower part for half its circumference extends forwardly as at 17a. Consequently the rear of the shell forms a hood 17b which supports the soil bearing thereon and the shell below the hood exposes virgin soil.

Vibrators 25 are secured to the shutter.

The concrete lining is formed of annular sections 26 which are reinforced by axially extending reinforcing wires 27 and also by circumferential wires 28.

Reference will now be directed particularly to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 to 6.

The cylinders of the group of jacks designated 21a abut against the abutment flange 20 and their rams extend through openings in the wall 19 and carry arcuate plates 29 In FIGURE 1 the last of a series of annular concrete sections 26 has just been made, and the wires 27 constituting the axially extending reinforcements are shown extending through holes in the wall 19 said wires being supplied from sources, not shown, located in the pressure pit and led through the partly formed tunnel or from sources within the tunnel. When the last concrete section has set the jacks 21 are energised so that their rams, by acting on the annular abutment 15, force forward the shell 14 so as to extend the excavation of the tunnel, see FIGURE 2. The reaction of the jacks 21 is transmitted through the annular; abutment 20 to the shutter and the wall 19 of the shutter bears on the inner end of the liner. The other group of jacks 21a are then energised to push forwards the two parts 16 and 17 of the shutter which are interconnected by the double acting jacks 24. The reaction of the jacks is taken by the arcuate plates 29 hearing on the end of the liner. There is then formed an annular cavity 30, the opposed radial faces thereof being formed of the exposed face of the last formed annular concrete section 26 and by the wall 19, the inner annular wall for-med partly by the flange 19a and mainly by the cylindrical section 17 of the shutter and the opposed annular face formed by the hood and by the virgin soil uncovered by the lower part of the shell, see FIGURE 3. When the shutter is thus moved forwards the wires 27 are stretched axially across the cavity, see FIGURE 3.

Thereafter the rams of the jacks 21a are retracted and the jacks 24 are energised so that they push rearwardly the cylinder 17 forming the main part of the tail of the shutter to expose the annular cavity 30 and the reinforcing wires 27 extending therethrough, see FIGURE 4. Said wires are then encircled by one or more circumferential reinforcing wires 28. This is done manually by an operator working in the tunnel. Thereafter the jacks 24 are enrgised to retract the cylinder 17 of the shutter, that is the cylinder closes the annular cavity, and concrete grout is now introduced into the cavity through an opening in the shutter and the vibrators 25 set in operation. The rings 22 seal the joint made by the cylinder 17 and flange 19a. This completes the cycle of operations which is repeated as often as may be necessary to excavate and line the tunnel.

As will be seen in FIGURE 6 uprights 32 may be provided within the tunnel. The uprights rest on lower arcuate bearing plate 33 and are secured firmly in the tunnel by screw jacks 34 hearing on upper arcuate plates 35. The uprights carry brackets 36 which support the hydraulic power lines to the hydraulic jacks, the cement grout supply pipes, electric cables and the like.

It will be noted that in forming each annular concrete section the hood supports the soil which cannot therefore collapse into the wet concrete forming the roof of the tunnel,

It will also be noted that when the shield is moved forwardly there is a gap between the roof made by the shield and the annular concrete sections and it may be found desirable to close said gap. For this reason the cylinder 17 may have openings in the roof thereof in which pins are inserted to become embedded in the concrete forming the annular sections 26. After the concrete has been set to form an annular section said pins can be withdrawn and the hole formed thereby in the concrete extended radially to the outer periphery of the section. Thereafter concrete grout or slurry can be introduced from inside of the cylinder 17 through the said holes into the said gap.

It will also be noted that the cement grout introduced into the annular cavity and forming the lower part of the concrete section does not bear on the shield but bears directly on the virgin soil and therefore on a firm permanent foundation.

Reference will now be made to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

In this embodiment of the invention the shield and shutter and also the hydraulic jacks are all substantially similar to those in the first described embodiment but the rear end of the shield is provided with an inwardly extending annular wall 37 which can travel axially of the annular cavity.

To take the reaction of the rams 21 and 21a there is provided an anchoring device which grips the lined cylinder. Said device is preferably in the form of two semicircular segments 38 and 39 which abut against the rear end of the cylinder 17 and are forced apart by screws or other means so that they grip the lining of the tunnel.

In FIGURE 7 the shell and shutter are in the positions in which the last concrete section has been made, the shield and shutter then forming an annular cavity and the reinforcing wires 27 extending through aligned holes in the walls 37 and 19. The cylinder 17 then abuts against the flange 19a and the anchoring device abuts against the rear end of the cylinder. The jacks 21 are then energised to move forwards the shield 14 so that it bites into the end of the tunnel to extend the tunnel to an extent corresponding to the axial thickness of a concrete section, the two annular walls 37 and 19 being then adjacent to each other.

When the, said jacks 21 are energised the reaction is taken by the anchoring device. Thereafter the anchoring device is released and the jacks 24 are energised to move the cylinder 17 rearwardly thereby forming the grout receiving annular cavity 30 the radial walls of which are formed by the last concrete section and by the wall 37, see FIGURE 8. When the cylinder 17 is so moved the wires 27 extend through the cavity. This cavity is open on its inner face so that an operator within the tunnel can fit the circumferential reinforcing wires 28 around the longitudinal wires, see FIGURE 8.

The jacks 24 are then energised to retract the cylinder 17 so that it again abuts against the flange 19a and closes said cavity 30 into which cement grout is introduced to form the next concrete section reinforced by the wires 27 and 28, see FIGURE 9. The double acting rams of the jacks 21a pass through holes in the annular wall 19 and bear on the wall 37 and when said jacks are energised the shutter is moved forward over the shield, the reaction being taken by the wall 37 which bears on the concrete liner. The shield and shutter is now in the position shown in FIGURE 10 which is similar to what is shown in FIGURE 7 but the annular cavity has moved one step further into the tunnel.

In like manner the tunnel is excavated and other axially and circumferentially reinforced concrete sections formed one after the other until the whole tunnel is formed and lined.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for use in the construction of tunnels lined with annular concrete section comprising an outer cylindrical shell to form the unlined tunnel, a cylindrical shutter co-axial with the shell and of a diameter at its forward end such that it can slide axially within the shell, and having a cylindrical tail corresponding in diameter to the lined tunnel in which it can slide axially, an annular wall connecting the forward end of the shutter to its tail, hydraulic jacks by which the shell can be advanced relative to the shutter and the shutter thereafter advanced to form an annular cavity into which concrete grout can be introduced to form an annular concrete section, said wall having apertures through which wires from the interior of the shutter can be introduced to form axial reinforcements in the concrete sections, the said tail being formed at least in part by a separate cylinder, further hydraulic jacks to force the cylinder rearwardly and thereafter to draw it forward, rearward movement of the cylinder exposing the annular cavity and the reinforcing wire extending therethrough so that said wires can be encircled by circumferential reinforcing wires which together with the axial reinforcing wires are embedded in the concrete grout introduced into the annular cavity to form an annular concrete section lining the tunnel.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tail of the shutter is formed by a leading annular member extending rearwardly from the inner periphery of the annular wall and by the separate cylinder, the annular member and the cylinder being interconnected by the hydraulic jacks.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shell and also the forward end of the shutter are both provided with an external annular abutment, a first group of axially extending hydraulic jacks located in the leading end of the shutter and extending between the two annular abut-ments and a second group of axially extending hydraulic jacks within the leading end of the shutter and bearing on its annular abutment, the rams of the latter group of jacks passing through holes in the annular wall and means to take the reaction of said jacks.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rams of the second group of jacks bear on bearing plates located in the annular cavity.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the shell at its rear end is provided with an inner annular wall and the rams of the second group of jacks are anchored to said inner wall.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reaction of the groups of jacks, when energised to move forward the shell and to move forward the forward end of the shutter to form the annular cavity, is transmitted through the tail of the shutter, anchoring means located within the tunnel to take said reaction, which anchoring means can be advanced and anchored in the tunnel after each forward movement of the cylinder.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 551,042 12/1895 McDonald 6185 1,948,707 2/ 1934 Gilman 6184 X 2,067,493 1/ 1937 Kinzie 6145 2,111,405 3/1938 Parker 6184 2,425,169 8/ 1947 Wilson 6185 3,379,024 4/ 1968 Wohlmeyer 29931 X DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 6142 

